The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets to Eliminate Odors and Stains, Tested

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Pets are cute and cuddly, but their messes are far from it. Remove stains and eliminate odors from carpets with a lean, mean, carpet-cleaning machine.

Carpet cleaners for pets are machines specially designed to clean those pesky stains and messes left by our furry friends. Having a pet can have many perks, but pet stains on carpets are not one of them. When considering the best carpet cleaner for pets, there are many factors to keep in mind, such as the machine’s type, size, power, and suction capability. By investing in the right one, shoppers can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying their furry loved ones.

We tested 10 carpet-cleaning machines to see how well they’d perform on stubborn pet stains. Through testing, we came up with a curated lineup of the best carpet cleaners for pets so shoppers can browse our selections and learn more about what to consider.

1. BEST OVERALL: Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet Carpet Cleaner
2. RUNNER-UP: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
4. UPGRADE PICK: Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
5. BEST COMPACT: Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner
6. BEST UPHOLSTERY CLEANER: Hoover CleanSlate Plus Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
7. BEST MIDRANGE: Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
8. BEST HANDHELD: Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner
9. BEST FOR STAIRS: Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner

How We Tested the Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets

To determine the best carpet cleaners for pets, we tested each machine on a variety of stains: pet urine, dirt/mud, red wine, tomato sauce, chocolate sauce, coffee, and cooking oil. These stains were tested on an 18-inch-by-18-inch carpet square with a medium pile. Additional stains, especially pet urine, were tested on both medium- and low-pile carpet fibers around the tester’s home.

Each machine’s performance in various categories was ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. Those categories included how easy the machine was to set up and use, how long it took to remove pet stains, and how effectively it removed each stain. We also factored in how wet or dry the carpet fibers were after cleaning and whether the machine efficiently suctioned excess liquid. We tested any additional features each carpet cleaner had, such as steam function and any attachments that clean upholstery. Finally, we asked ourselves whether we would want to use the machine again and if the carpet cleaner is a good value for the money.

Our Top Picks

There are many scenarios where one might need to use a carpet cleaner for pets, so this list includes standout options that we tested ourselves for various needs and uses. Read on to learn more about some of the best carpet cleaners for pets that effectively deodorize carpets and wash away dirt.

Best Overall

Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet Carpet Cleaner

See It

Product Specs 

• Type: Upright and portable hybrid
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 804 watts

Pros

• Can remove stains, pet hair, and odors
• Multiple built-in cleaning modes allow users to adjust cleaning power for heavier stains
• Comes with multiple tools and includes two 8-ounce bottles of cleaning solution
• Dual use as both an upright and a portable

Cons

• Heavy weight as an upright makes it hard to carry up and down stairs, making it a little cumbersome to use
• Expensive price point compared with other carpet-cleaning machines
• Handle of the upright feels a little flimsy when in use

Both an upright carpet cleaner and a portable carpet cleaner in one, this machine is designed to remove pet hair, stains, and odors using hot-water extraction, shampooing, and bonnet cleaning via a dual DirtLifter PowerBrush that digs into carpet fibers to remove stains. The portable pod machine locks into a base that allows it to function as an upright cleaner, then using a simple unlatching mechanism, converts into a portable unit. This makes it easy to use in corners, on upholstery, and even cars.

As an upright, the machine proved 100 percent effective on all of the stains in less than 5 minutes except for the red wine stain and a pre-existing pet urine stain. We popped it off the base and used the tough stain tool attachment and were able to remove both stains completely with another 5 minutes of scrubbing. We also tested this tough stain tool on a separate square to see how it did with the range of stains and found that after 10 minutes of scrubbing, the carpet square was pristine and nearly dry to the touch. Overall, the machine left carpets dry to the touch within an hour of cleaning.

The only trade-off of the two-for-one machine is that the base of the machine doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as some of the other upright-only models we tested. Additionally, it’s a little heavier for a portable—this model weighs about 26 pounds, with 24.25 of those pounds dedicated to the portable section, without the added water or cleaning solution. However, both of these are minor complaints compared with the versatility and cleaning power of the machine itself.

Read our full review: Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet Carpet Cleaner

Get the Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off carpet cleaner at Amazon, Wayfair, or Target.

Runner-up

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

See It

Product Specs 

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 816 watts

Pros

• Intuitive design enables users to start cleaning almost immediately after assembly
• Can easily replace the need for a carpet cleaner rental or a professional cleaning
• Easy to clean all compartments on the machine from top to bottom
• 25-foot-long cord and 8-foot hose enable uninterrupted cleaning of expansive rooms

Cons

• Balance of weight tilts to the front of the machine, which makes carrying it awkward
• Large machine that takes up a good amount of storage space
• Dirty tank requires frequent emptying during larger jobs

Engineered to target tough stains, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro carpet cleaner is a hefty machine with a clean-water capacity of 1 gallon. It has three cleaning settings: express, deep, and max. It also features a CleanShot spray nozzle to directly target stains and has two attachments, a cleaning tool for the brush roll cover, and a tool bag.

In testing, this model did not disappoint, both for whole-room cleaning and spot-cleaning. When we cleaned heavily trafficked living areas, the Bissell improved the dingy appearance of the carpet, eliminated dark spots, and lifted and softened the carpet overall. We did have to empty the dirty-water tank a handful of times when cleaning a 300-square-foot room on max clean, but the results were worth it.

For spot-cleaning, not only did the ProHeat 2X Revolution eliminate urine stains, but it also easily lifted mud, ketchup, and even red wine from our carpet remnant. Though the tougher stains (red wine and urine) required more than one pass with the machine, they were significantly improved after just one pass. Had we cleaned immediately after a spill or accident, the Bissell very likely would have removed the messes thoroughly in one cleaning.

For busy households with accident-prone occupants, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro is a powerful spot cleaner and carpet cleaner that can give floors a much-needed refresh.

Read our full review here: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Get the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner at Amazon or Target.

Best Bang For The Buck

Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner

See It

Product Specs 

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 840 watts

Pros

• HeatForce power is a convenient feature that speeds up dry time
• Trial-size bottle of cleaning solution included; mixes easily with water in tank
• 20-foot power cord can reach many rooms
• Lightweight and small design is portable and functional for tight spaces

Cons

• Some users report loud operation volume, which can be tiresome during big jobs
• Lacks additional tools for more customized cleaning of tight spaces
• Removing and rinsing dirty tank water can be a little tricky

Removing pet messes from carpets doesn’t need to break the bank. The affordable PowerDash by Hoover is compact and lightweight at 12.5 pounds, yet it’s powerful enough to clean high-traffic areas. And thanks to its small size, it can easily get into tight spaces. This upright pet carpet cleanerhas a 20-foot power cord and a half-gallon water tank.

The base of the machine boasts Hoover’s PowerSpin Pet Brush Roll system that lifts and suctions pet messes easily, and the built-in HeatForce Power technology speeds up the drying process. A trial-size bottle of Hoover carpet cleaner is included and can be mixed directly into the clean-water tank before use.

This compact upright cleaner impressed us with how quickly it removed all the stains. It was also one of the easiest carpet cleaners to use. Setting it up was simple, and because it features a lightweight, upright design, it is well suited to those with limited mobility. It also worked fast: This unit removed all the stains from the carpet square in three passes, which took less than 5 minutes. We used it for 2 more minutes without distributing any water to help dry the carpet. Of all the cleaners we tested, this machine left the carpet square the driest to the touch.

The only downside with this portable carpet cleaner is that it does not come with an attachment hose, so getting into small spaces or corners may be difficult. The process of removing the dirty water was a little awkward compared with some of the other carpet-cleaning machines we tested, but this is a minor issue considering the value offered for the price. This is an excellent choice for those in the market for a carpet cleaner that gets the job done with no fuss and at a great price.

Get the Hoover PowerDash carpet cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.

Upgrade Pick

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

See It

Product Specs 

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 1,440 watts

Pros

• Long 25-foot power cord can travel farther than those of many other carpet cleaners
• Specially designed pet upholstery tool is great for pet beds and furniture
• PowerBrush with 8 rows of bristles gets deeper into carpet fibers than some smaller models have the ability to
• Includes full-size bottle of cleaning solution specially formulated for pet stains and odors
• Powerful suction leaves carpets relatively dry after use

Cons

• One of the most expensive carpet cleaners on the list
• Heavy, cumbersome, and more difficult to store than smaller, more compact cleaners

Having pets can present unique challenges when it’s time to clean carpets. The Bissell Big Green Pet Pro carpet cleaner is designed to provide heavy-duty, professional-grade cleaning that may be even more thorough than what cumbersome rental models can provide. It comes with a full-size 48-ounce bottle of Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator formula that tackles tough pet stains and odors.

This model also includes a two-in-one pet upholstery tool that works great on stairs, pet beds, furniture, and other hard-to-reach areas where pets may leave unwelcome surprises. One drawback is that it weighs 44 pounds, so this heavy machine is one of the least portable and most cumbersome in the lineup. Its larger size can also make it more difficult to store when not in use.

While this is a great option for users who regularly rent carpet cleaners, it’s important to note that this is not a small carpet-cleaning machine. It is industrial-size, and as such, it does a pro-quality job. It lacks maneuverability, but it makes up for that in effectiveness. It was heavy to push, and we had to go much slower than with other models, but after 20 minutes of testing, the Bissell Big Green had removed all of the stains and then some. We had some older stains on a low-pile basement carpet that we thought would never come out, but this machine removed them without the need to use any advanced spot treatment. For those who want to feel like their carpets have been professionally cleaned, this machine won’t disappoint. While it won’t replace a

vacuum cleaner for removing pet hair

, it did an excellent job of removing pet hair from floors and upholstery.

The biggest downside to this machine is its weight. Even with both tanks empty and off, we struggled to carry it up and down any stairs. The base for cleaning is 10.5 inches wide, so we used the narrower stair-tool attachment to get corners and other narrow areas and spot scrub. The hose is a generous 9 feet long and was very easy to snap into place and use without much effort—essentially exactly like a standard vacuum cleaning hose. We even used the attachment on some stains on a couch, which it took out in less than a minute. This is a great pick for those living in homes that have a lot of carpets and not many stairs. Overall, the suction power left the carpets surprisingly dry to the touch and completely dry within about 4 hours.

Get the Bissell Big Green carpet cleaner at Amazon, Wayfair, or Bissell.

Best Compact

Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner

See It

Product Specs 

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: Not listed

Pros

• Weighs 13 pounds, making it easy to move up and down stairs
• 5-foot hose enhances maneuverability and reduces need to bend or kneel
• Its 3 different modes allow for versatility of use, including on hard surfaces such as tile grout
• Effective at cleaning most stains without excessive scrubbing

Cons

• Somewhat less effective on older pet stains, tomato sauce, and dirt
• Best suited for spot-cleaning versus whole-house cleaning because the tools are small

A small steamer and portable carpet cleaner in one, the Bissell Little Green HydroSteam packs a lot into a small machine. Designed for spot-cleaning stains, it boasts three different cleaning modes: SteamWash for oily messes or stubborn stains; Steam for draperies and for cleaning tile and grout; and Wash for enzyme stains such as pet urine, grass, and blood. Weighing just 13 pounds, it is a smaller portable machine; despite its smaller size, though, it’s equipped with a dual-tank system that consists of a 64-ounce clean-water tank and an easy-to-remove dirty-water tank. It comes with an 8-ounce bottle of Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Spot & Stain Urine Eliminator.

Although the machine is not upright, the 5-foot-long hose attachment is generous in length. This makes it possible to use without getting on one’s hands and knees, which is a bonus for those with limited mobility. It also includes two hose-end attachments: a 5-inch tough-stain attachment and a multipurpose brush. The steam mode also doubles as a sanitizer for shoes, gym equipment, and more.

We spent nearly an hour testing this unit’s functions. The first test on the stained carpet square resulted in significant stain removal, although it did take more time. With many of the uprights we tested, the stains came out in less than 5 minutes; this unit required a solid 10 minutes of scrubbing at all of the stains. Still, except for the tomato sauce, they all came out well.

Removing the tomato sauce required scrubbing for an additional 5 minutes. The steam function seemed to help boost the stain-lifting power to get the darker stains (such as chocolate) out of the carpet fibers. This machine was highly effective on older pet stains, removing most of the stains in a matter of minutes without excessive scrubbing.

We also used this to effectively remove pet hair and light dirt stains from a couch cushion. And we especially liked that it could be used in steam-only mode to sanitize or freshen drapes and curtains. Despite its small footprint, this d